Crinkle-crankle or serpentine walls
| Sat, 8 Sep 2012 10:55 tuppence |
Also known as crinkum-crankum, serpentine, ribbon or wavy walls, crinkle-crankle walls are a way of economising on bricks. In spite of their sinuous shape they are stable when built just one brick thick without the need for buttresses. They are associated with East Anglia but as the map of these examples shows, their use has spread to other parts of England and Wales and even include a dry stone example. It is possible their use in Britain dates back to the mid 17th century when Dutch engineers were employed to drain the fens. In the Netherlands the design is called slange muur (snaking wall). Thomas Jefferson used this form in the grounds of the University of Virginia having appreciated both its aesthetic value and economy.                                     |
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| Sat, 8 Sep 2012 11:00 tuppence |
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| Sat, 8 Sep 2012 20:56 robinstott |
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